I don’t think there has been a more perfectly capped off, completely realized trilogy as Pixar’s Toy Story. Each film improves on the last until a cathartic conclusion that seemed extremely final. Sure, we’ll get little shorts attached to upcoming Pixar films (most recently Cars 2), but in terms of being completely fulfilled in a three-film story arc, Pixar has the top prize. But then Toy Story 3 had to go make over $1 billion dollars and ruin everything. When a property makes that much, you can be sure we’ll get a sequel down the road.
After Buzz Lightyear himself (Tim Allen) signed on to a possible Toy Story 4 last year, his buddy Woody has brought up the prospects again. On a press tour for his upcoming directing/starring/writing vehicle Larry Crowne, Tom Hanks has gone so far as to say Pixar “is working on it now” and he thinks “there will be a sequel.” This is the man who also said “bring it on” when asked about a possible sequel at the Los Angeles premiere of Toy Story 3.
Now, we don’t know if this means a few animators around the watercooler started to think of story scenariosm or they’ve already started visualizing what it could be, but I could see Pixar waiting another 5-10 years and releasing another film like they did with last year’s third film. Toy Story 3 director Lee Unkrich previously discussed the possibility of Toy Story 4 with MSN Movies:
I really tried my best to end the story of Andy and his toys and bring that story to a close in a really nice way at the end of [‘Toy Story 3’]. That being said, we know that people love the characters, love Woody and Buzz, and would hate to say good-bye to them completely. … We don’t have any plans for (a fourth movie) — but we are trying to find ways to keep the characters alive.
With Cars 2 causing a large dip in their streak of integrity, this could be something great way down the road. With Brave, a Monsters Inc. prequel, and a plethora of rumored projects, I’d much rather see any of those than another addition to the Toy Story franchise. But if they take their time, I’d be interested in the story they have to tell.
Do you want to see another Toy Story movie? Where could they go from here?